TUCSON, ARIZ. – The OUAZ softball team continued its hot stretch at the Tucson Invitational Games on Wednesday, as the Spirit added a pair of run-rule victories to its record. OUAZ is now 6-1 at the Tucson Invitational Games, and have two more contests next week in the Old Pueblo.
OUAZ 14, Briar Cliff 3 (5 innings)
The Spirit scored in every inning they batted, plating 14 runs in four frames. OUAZ also finished the first game of the day with 17 hits, and eight different players had at least one hit.
After giving up three runs in the top of the first, OUAZ struck back immediately with five of their own in the bottom part of the frame. Brianna Humphries, Mia Casadei, and Sophie Jackson each had an RBI double, with one run also coming across on an error.
The Spirit also scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth, pushing its lead to 11. This time the charge was led by a pair of two-RBI hits, a single by Elysa Moreno and a double by Kelli Samorano.
Serena Shine was a perfect 4-for-4, coming around to score on three on three separate occasions. In total, six OUAZ players had at least two hits against Briar Cliff.
OUAZ 10, Valley City State 1 (5 innings)
This time it was OUAZ who got the scoring started, posting four runs in the top of the second. The big hit came from Brooklynne Esquibel, who triple home two runs, then scored herself on the same play thanks to an error.
The Spirit would score four runs in the fifth as well to set up its second run-rule victory of the day. OUAZ took advantage of two errors and a wild pitch, and would only need nine hits to score its ten runs.
It was Moreno's turn to be perfect at the plate, as she went 3-for-3 and scored two runs. Emily Henard and Karlene Chavarria also turned in two-hit performances, and combined for three runs scored.
Alyvia Hernandez had another great outing, allowing just two hits and no walks in four innings. Leila Elias also made an appearance, as the freshman pitched the final frame to secure the early victory.
The Spirit will now start GSAC play against a pair of conference favorites. They get to host #19 Hope International in a doubleheader on Friday, with first pitch from Willow Canyon High School set for 2:00 p.m.
